Pepper Spray Laws
Is Pepper Spray Legal In NEW MEXICO?
Pepper spray in NM is Legal.
Legal No New Mexico statute specifically regulates the civilian purchase, possession, or use of pepper spray / OC spray for self-defense. New Mexico's general "deadly weapon" definition, N.M. Stat. Ann. Section 30-1-12(B), enumerates firearms, bladed weapons, slingshots, bludgeons, and swordcanes, plus a catchall for "any other weapons with which dangerous wounds can be inflicted" — it does not name pepper spray, tear gas, mace, or chemical sprays, and the unlawful-carrying statute (N.M. Stat. Ann. Section 30-7-2) and the school-premises carrying statute (Section 30-7-2.1) likewise do not reference chemical self-defense sprays. Age minimum: No statutory age minimum specific to pepper spray purchase or possession was found. Size/concentration limit: No statutory size, volume, or OC-concentration limit specific to pepper spray was found. Carry restrictions: No statute-specific carry restriction (schools, courthouses, government buildings) naming pepper spray was found; general prohibited-persons statutes for "deadly weapons" may still be argued to apply to any item meeting the catchall "dangerous wounds" language, but this has not been tested against OC spray specifically and should not be treated as settled. Primary source: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-30/article-1/section-30-1-12/ (N.M. Stat. Ann. Section 30-1-12); see also Section 30-7-2 and Section 30-7-2.1. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change. Confirm current requirements with New Mexico authorities or your own counsel before purchasing or carrying.